1958 was a very exciting year for the American people. Science became more important, because in 1957, Sputnik 1 and 2 were launched by Russia and America was frightened. Because of this that NASA was founded on October 1, and the National Education Defense Act was created so that schools would have more funding for science. Another important event was on March 21 when Elvis Presley was drafted into the military. Girls everywhere worried for Elvis. Hula Hoops made their debut and on June 29 Brazil wins their first World Cup. New York Sports fans are upset at the loss of the New York Giants and the Brooklyn Dodgers. Both teams open the 1958 season as California teams. The median income for U.S. families is $5,087.

• Sugar Ray Robinson defeats Carmen Basilio in a 15-round decision at Chicago Stadium for the middleweight boxing title for a record fifth time.
• The first Grammy Award given to the Italian song "Volare" by the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences.
• On August 3,the first voyage under the North Pole is completed by the 4-year-old U.S. atomic submarine Nautilus.
• Juvenile The Cat in the Hat Comes Back by Dr. Seuss is published.
• VISA has its beginnings in the BankAmericard introduced by California’s Bank of America.
• The first transistorized TV set is made by Sony Corp. in November. They changed their name from Tokyo Tsushin Kogyo to sony In January.
• The first Pizza Hut opens.
• Green Giant Green Beans, Pizza Hut and Cocoa Krispies and Cocoa Puffs and Sweet n' Low are all introduced.
• The New York Yankees win the World Series on October 4th and defeat the Milwaukee Braves 4 games to 3.
• On September 12th, Little Rock voted to either shut down the city's four high school as public institutions for the next year, or accept racial integration in all of the system's schools in the case of Cooper vs. Aaron.
• The Hula Hoop is invented by Wham-O.
• Sputnik III was launch on May 15 by Russia.
• Angelo Rancalli was elected Pope John XXIII on October 20th 1958.
• The United States National Defense Education Act authorizes federal spending of more than $480 million over 4 years to strengthen science, math and foreign language in schools.
• Aluminum beverage cans were first used by coors, Jif peanut butter invented, IHOP, Rice-a-Roni,

Emmy Awards:
Outstanding Comedy: Phil Silvers Show (CBS)
Outstanding Drama: Gunsmoke (CBS)

1st Annual Grammy Awards
Record Of The Year: Domenico Modugno with Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)
Album Of The Year: Henry Mancini with The Music From Peter Gunn
Song of The Year: Domenico Modugno with Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu (Volare)

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The 1950's